NYC Co-op & Condo Budgeting

Avoid the Year-End Scramble with Smart Planning

Imagine owning a business. You only look at your finances once a year — in Q4 — and you never think about future growth, upcoming expenses, or risks.

Would that business thrive?
Probably not.

Yet that’s exactly how many co-op and condo boards handle their buildings’ budgets.

Your building isn’t just a place to live — it’s a multi-million-dollar business. If you owned a company with that kind of value, you’d have a five-year plan, cash flow projections, reserves for big expenses, and a growth strategy. Read on…

Tina LarssonOctober 9, 2025Comment

Why Every NYC Co-op & Condo Needs a New Board Member Onboarding Process

Because You’d Never Hire an Employee Without One—So Why Do We?

Imagine getting hired for a job at a company—without any training, job description, or handbook. No one tells you who to report to, what your responsibilities are, or where the policies live. You're just expected to “figure it out.”

Unthinkable, right?

And yet, that’s exactly how many NYC co-op and condo boards operate when welcoming new members. It’s no wonder so many new volunteers feel lost, frustrated, or hesitant to speak up. Without a clear onboarding process, both the individual and the building can suffer.

Tina LarssonSeptember 30, 2025New York City, onboarding, Coop & Condo, Board MemberComment

Inside NYC Co-op Board Operations

The Real Reason Projects Get Delayed

Hint: It’s not laziness. It’s logistics.

If you've ever wondered why it takes so long for your building to complete a simple repair or make a decision—you're not alone. In fact, if you don’t live in a co-op, you might be shocked to learn just how slow things can move.

But here’s the thing: co-op buildings aren’t just properties—they’re communities. And the decisions being made aren’t just about bricks and budgets. They’re about your home, your neighbors, and how millions of dollars are spent.

So why do things take so long? Let’s break it down.

Tina LarssonAugust 9, 2025New York City, Planning, Operations, Project ManagementComment

Creating a Five-Year Capital Plan for Your NYC Coop or Condo

The Real Costs of Deferred Maintenance (Yes, It Adds Up Fast)

You wouldn't skip your annual physical, right?
Your building needs the same kind of care. The truth is, most costly repairs we see were totally preventable. What started as a minor leak turned into a $50,000 ceiling collapse. An overdue boiler part replacement led to a mid-winter emergency shutdown. And the kicker? Every one of those situations could have been avoided with a solid five-year capital plan.

Let’s walk you through how to create one that actually works—saving your board time, money, and stress.

Tina LarssonJuly 14, 2025New York City, Elevators, Safety, PlanningComment

NYC Coop and Condo Boards: Plan Now for the 2027 Elevator Safety Retrofit Deadline

What Is a Plunger —And Why Should You Care?

A plunger acts like the emergency in your car. It prevents an elevator from moving unexpectedly while people are getting in or out.

It’s a small component with big safety implications, and it's now a required feature for every elevator in the city.

Here’s where it gets real…

Tina LarssonJune 5, 2025New York City, Elevators, Safety, PlanningComment

Why Is It So Hard to Get Quorum (and New Board Members) in NYC Coops?

If you’re on a coop or condo board, you already know: getting enough shareholders or unit owners to show up at the annual meeting can feel like pulling teeth. And when it comes to finding people willing to run for the board? That’s often even harder.

Board PracticeTina LarssonApril 25, 2025Quorum, BoardComment

How to Tackle Local Law 97 Compliance for Your NYC Coop or Condo Building

As a co-op or condo board member, you’re likely feeling the pressure of Local Law 97 (LL97)—one of NYC’s most ambitious climate laws. Designed to reduce carbon emissions from large buildings, LL97 comes with strict emissions limits and potential fines for non-compliance.

But what happens when your building wants to comply but simply doesn’t have enough electrical capacity to fully electrify?

Tina LarssonApril 13, 2025Comment

Unwanted Smells in NYC Coops

Tips from Mark Foley as seen in The New York Times

Did you know that two of the most common complaints in condos and coops are smells and noise? Whether it’s cooking odors, cigarette smoke, or even marijuana smoke, unwanted smells can quickly turn into a major issue in apartment living. If your neighbor’s smoking habits are making their way into your apartment, you’re not alone.

While co-op living is all about community, it’s also about respecting each other’s space. You have the right to enjoy your home without dealing with persistent secondhand smoke, just as your neighbor has the right to their lifestyle. So how do you handle this without turning it into a full-blown conflict? Here’s how you can address the problem effectively while keeping the peace.

Tina LarssonMarch 30, 2025Comment

Local Law 111: NYC Lead Paint Inspection Requirements for Co-ops & Condos

A Beginner’s Guide to Lead Paint Inspections in NYC – Local Law 111 Explained

NYC’s Local Law 111 expands lead paint inspection requirements for multifamily buildings, including co-ops and condos. If your building was built before 1960—or between 1960 and 1978 with known lead-based paint—you must complete XRF testing in all common areas by August 9, 2025. Learn what your board needs to do to stay compliant and avoid fines.

Tina LarssonMarch 8, 2025Comment

Navigating Property Management Change

Lessons from Habitat Magazine’s Problem Solved! Podcast

Making a change in property management is one of the most significant decisions a co-op or condo board can face. In a recent episode of Habitat Magazine’s Problem Solved! podcast, Tina Larsson, co-founder and CEO of The Folson Group, shared a success story about a Westchester co-op board that found itself in a challenging situation with its existing property manager.

Tina LarssonFebruary 9, 2025Comment